Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

1. What the Scripture hath determined, touching the compliance of the people of God with the superstitious customs of the Heathen, whether it be in way of approbation or allowance of them, or of symbolizing, and conforming to them, tho under the pretence of ⟨p. 310⟩taking that course, to gain them over to the true Religion, e. gr. I suppose, that none will deny, That it was the duty of the Jews, to endeavour to proselyte others, to the Faith, and Worship of the true God. Let us, then, observe, what God did prescribe, in order thereunto. Did he allow them, to imitate their Rites, or Customs? No; but quite contrary, He severely chargeth, That, in no wise, they should symbolize with them, lest they should be entangled, or corrupted with their manners, Deut. xii. 30, 31. Learned men have bestowed much study, and diligence, to find out the Reasons of many Injunctions, and Prescriptions, which God appropriated to the Jews. In some of them, they have clearly discovered a Typical use, that they prefigured Christ, or his Church. In others, they find Virtue, and Morality to be instilled. In others, Provision to be made for Health, Decency, &c. But for several of them, they have resolved, that God imposed them on purpose, to set them at a greater distance from Idolaters: and to guard them from those evil impressions, which the Familiarizing of their customs, might make upon them, as, they might not wear a garment of linen, and woollen wrought together, Deut. xxii. 11. because (as is said) the Egyptians used such. So, they were forbidden, To round the corners of their head, or, to mar the corners of their beard, Levit. xix. 27. because Idolaters, and particularly the Egyptians were so trimmed. It seems also, that other nations, who offered up their hair to their Demons, out of devotion, were polled after some such manner. It is undeniable, as might be argued, from these, and several other reasons. That it was utterly unlawful for the Jews, to symbolize with the heathen; in their Superstitious Rites. Neither is there a greater latitude for Christians under the Gospel. They are, certainly, obliged, to fly as far from Idolatry, as the Jews were.